Part of staying at home with Scarlette is learning to balance. I am awesome at balance. On, like, a beam. Have I ever talked about that time I was in gymnastics? Would it surprise you to know I fell in love with the sport at gymnastics camp?
Seriously, you should see me on the uneven bars. Or, well, you should have seen me when I was twelve. I’m not sure if I still have an amazing back hip circle or not anymore because Jeff won’t let me try it on the bars at the park. He says they are for doing chin-ups or something. Lame.
But balance in life? Suck at it. If you’ve sent me an email in the last month, you are aware of this. The holidays totally set my inbox back a bit. I’m sorry.
Here’s a cute picture of my baby to make up for it. (She’s trying to sign “juice.”)
Does that only work on my dad?
Anyhow, it’s overwhelming, finding the balance in being a work-at-home mom. Wife. Mother. Writer. Me.
So this week is about housekeeping.
Specifically at my house, noting my absence here. Because I have a tendency to be a bit messy. You could say I might be a slob. You could even say it’s possible you might one day see me on an episode of hoarders. Not really. Maybe. Just kidding. Who else loves Kristin Wigg as much as I do?
I really want to create a calm environment for Scarlette. She spends all day with… me. That’s not calm. She spent yesterday driving her cozy coupe over to our wedding portrait and yelling at it. So I feel a need to make this space calm, organized and more efficient. I read some organizing books but they didn’t magically change me into a non-messy person so I need to take some time to actually tackle that.
But also here on my blog. I’m wanting to change up my advertising a bit. To be honest, I tried a secondary advertising network and the response was awesome. Except I kept denying the ads which was not so awesome. It’s important to me that even my ads are in line with my morals. It’s also important to me to find a good balance in selling advertising because I don’t want my blog overwhelmed with ads. On the other hand, go google Elecare. My baby is expensive. I can’t tell you how grateful I am that I am able to live out my passion of writing as a means of helping contribute to our family.
Instead of repeatedly denying ads because they want to sell something that isn’t in line with my beliefs, I’d really rather use the space to support indie businesses and other bloggers/crafters.
So if you’re interested in a sponsor space, please click here and I’ll make all your dreams come true. Like I mentioned, I don’t want the blog to be cluttered with ads so space is limited. I’ve already emailed the people who have contacted me about advertising here so I only have a couple of spots left for February and March.
And that’s the story Morning Glory. It’s housekeeping time around here.
I’m on my third cup of coffee and the closet under the stairs looks AMAZING. The floor in front of the closet under the stairs is covered with all of the crap that was previously in said closet. This where everything unravels for me.
About Kayla Aimee
I think its great that you’re taking time to do house stuff, spend time on you and your space. I don’t do this enough, and last week I literally burned out and could barely function effectively. It took a brutal dose of mastitis to finally get me back into check and to see things for what they are. I constantly struggle with balance.
It’s tough, isn’t it? ANd bummer,mastitis is the devil!
Have you read The House That Cleans Itself? I read it a couple years ago and my boys were quite disappointed that it wasn’t about a sci-fi house with mechanical arms coming out of the walls to clean up their junk. But seriously, it’s really helpful because it walks you through all the steps to go from mess to an organizational system that actually works for your life. She recommends taking it super slow, devoting lots of time to it. So now while you’re under house arrest might be a great time to tackle it.
I need to read it again but I catch myself using her principles when I go to organize something. It’s very doable.And I’m a dyed-in-the-wool slob.
I will look into that, thanks! I know, I read that title and thought of the Jetsons. I want a robot house.
flylady.net
seriously – I wish I had known her when I had little ones.
She’s been there, done that and isn’t ashamed to tell you her story. The woman’s heart is pure love.
this looks great but I can’t quite tell how to get started!
Ok, first off, that is THE cutest picture. EVA. she looks like a true southern belle, gettin’ all excited over something
. Secondly, Kristen Wigg is beyond funny, and Bridesmaids is probably the funniest movie of all time….as for the housekeeping, we have what I refer to as “organized chaos”. Don’t fret mama, enjoy your cutie pie 
Cute baby pictures work for me, too.
I’m with you on the unraveling–what to do with what doesn’t fit in said space. Keep the ideas coming!
You NEED to check out http://www.aslobcomesclean.com/. Nony is a self-confessed slob and creative person (former art teacher, I think) who is slowly teaching herself to be organized. Also? She is hilarious. (And her husband totally plays the straight man ala Jeff.) I was one of the people who told you that you should read Money Saving Mom’s website, so you can clearly trust my blog-reading instincts!
Thanks for the rec! I got hooked on her freezer cooking last night!
Scarlette is most adorable! What a beautiful baby girl. I was wondering where you got that headband, I’m in love!
Thanks Sarah! Her headband is from graciousmay.com – it is a Snugars. Be warned- she has a TON of cute stuff. It’s hard to resist
I’m working on this as well…I’m looking into that book that Erin suggested above. I could use some help!
Kayla, you have such an adorable little girl! I actually stumbled upon your blog from a pinterest pin that a friend of mine had pinned. & can i just tell you how i LOVE the fact the very first post i read is about ELECARE.. and yes it is VERY expensive my son is 6 months old & has been on it from 3 weeks old and will continue to take it till he is a year that we know of..but yes i feel you on the price & having the house clean, and being a mommy, and working, and doing laundry & cooking..it is alot! i just wanted to stop & say you are not the alone one!
Thanks so much Jamie! Sorry to hear your little one is on it too, that’s no fun! I am thankful for it though, even though it cost a pretty penny! I know one day I’ll get this down!
yes, one thing that i have learned from being a mother of a newborn in a NICU or even a mother of a newborn with issue’s..complications..etc. is that god would not let these things happen to people that couldnt handle the situation. our son was diagnosed when i was 26 weeks with jejunal atresia, although we didnt go through as much as you did it was still alot, my son was taking within the hour after delivery to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. So there is still alot of things i can relate with you from that chapter in our lives & we are so truly blessed our little ones are with us today!
I definitely hear ya about being messy. I work hard trying not to be, but I feel like I’ve always got a million little projects going at once and never seem to complete any of them and then stuff just piles up. Good luck!
check out flylady. fo’ shore! kinda cheesy but it soo works!